Plain Weave Wire Mesh woven or fabricated in 304 Stainless Steel (AISI 304 (1.4301)) keeps its dimensional specification to ISO 9044 / ASTM E2016; the alloy determines corrosion behavior (good general corrosion resistance in atmosphere and fresh water) and the service temperature limit (approx. +450 °C continuous). Both are covered below with the full specification table.
Why Choose 304 Stainless Steel for Plain Weave Wire Mesh
The standard general-purpose stainless mesh alloy. For plain weave wire mesh, this matters when good general corrosion resistance in atmosphere and fresh water is the controlling requirement.
Alloy Properties
| Grade designation | AISI 304 (1.4301) |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Essentially non-magnetic (annealed) |
| Service temperature | approx. +450 °C continuous |
| Corrosion characteristic | Good general corrosion resistance in atmosphere and fresh water |
Cleaning & Compatibility
Stainless plain weave wire mesh can be cleaned by backflush, ultrasonic bath, steam and most CIP chemistry. Two cautions: (1) avoid extended contact with hydrochloric acid or hypochlorite sanitizers, which pit even 316; (2) where the mesh contacts carbon steel during fabrication or service, iron pick-up can rust-stain the surface — specify passivation after fabrication.
Comparable Alloys
The direct upgrade from 304 is 316L (chlorides, acids, CIP). Downgrade options for dry, indoor screening are galvanized or plain steel. For heat beyond ~450 °C move to Inconel 600; for seawater immersion consider Monel 400 or duplex 2205 for plain weave wire mesh.
Specifications of Plain Weave Wire Mesh Available in 304 Stainless Steel
| Mesh count | Wire diameter (mm) | Aperture (mm) | Micron rating (u00b5m) | Open area (%) | Weight SS (kg/mu00b2) | Reference standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-Mesh | 1.600 | 11.100 | 11100 | 76.4 | 2.64 | ISO 9044 |
| 4-Mesh | 1.000 | 5.350 | 5350 | 71.0 | 2.06 | ISO 9044 |
| 8-Mesh | 0.800 | 2.375 | 2375 | 56.0 | 2.64 | ISO 9044 |
| 10-Mesh | 0.550 | 1.990 | 1990 | 61.4 | 1.56 | ISO 9044 |
| 20-Mesh | 0.400 | 0.870 | 870 | 46.9 | 1.65 | ISO 9044 |
| 30-Mesh | 0.300 | 0.547 | 547 | 41.7 | 1.39 | ISO 9044 |
| 40-Mesh | 0.250 | 0.385 | 385 | 36.8 | 1.29 | ISO 9044 |
| 50-Mesh | 0.220 | 0.288 | 288 | 32.1 | 1.25 | ISO 9044 |
| 60-Mesh | 0.190 | 0.233 | 233 | 30.4 | 1.12 | ISO 9044 |
| 80-Mesh | 0.140 | 0.177 | 178 | 31.3 | 0.81 | ISO 9044 |
| 100-Mesh | 0.100 | 0.154 | 154 | 36.8 | 0.51 | ISO 9044 |
| 120-Mesh | 0.090 | 0.122 | 122 | 33.0 | 0.50 | ISO 9044 |
| 150-Mesh | 0.066 | 0.103 | 103 | 37.2 | 0.34 | ISO 9044 |
| 200-Mesh | 0.053 | 0.074 | 74 | 34.0 | 0.29 | ISO 9044 |
| 250-Mesh | 0.040 | 0.062 | 62 | 36.8 | 0.21 | ISO 9044 |
| 325-Mesh | 0.036 | 0.042 | 42 | 29.1 | 0.22 | ISO 9044 |
| 400-Mesh | 0.030 | 0.034 | 34 | 27.8 | 0.19 | ISO 9044 |
| 500-Mesh | 0.025 | 0.026 | 26 | 25.8 | 0.16 | ISO 9044 |
| 635-Mesh | 0.020 | 0.020 | 20 | 25.0 | 0.13 | ISO 9044 |